Business Gateway Classes Emphasizing Sustainability, Ethics

Gateway to Business classes traditionally have introduced freshman students to various business majors and disciplines. This year’s Gateway program also will familiarize incoming students with the roles of sustainability and ethics in the business arena, thanks to a new speaker series incorporated into the program.

“We are looking for the intersection of business and sustainable economic growth,” said Dr. William Spangler, associate dean of academic affairs and research. “How might we challenge freshman business students to think differently about the future of this region, their own futures in business and the role of business and society?”

Two guest speakers will discuss these topics from their own real-world experience. Students will have the opportunity to incorporate these large-scale concerns into research and projects throughout the semester, such as tracking energy use in organizations and focusing on sustainability through accounting, financial and operational practices.

Bill O’Rourke, executive director of The Beard Institute and former vice president of sustainability and environment, health and safety for Alcoa, will discuss ethical dilemmas from his international experiences on Thursday, Aug. 29, and will work with students in solving ethical situations.

Matthew Mehalik, program manager for Sustainable Pittsburgh, will speak on Tuesday, Sept. 3, about the needs, drivers and challenges facing business from a sustainability perspective, especially for operations in southwestern Pennsylvania.

“This new initiative introduces the principle values of our graduate studies in the MBA Sustainability program to incoming freshmen, strengthening our efforts to integrate sustainability and ethics throughout the business curriculum,” Spangler said.